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Particle physics is the most glamorous branch of physics, but I agree with the book author that little progress is being made. In what branches of theoretical p
by poster123 8y ago
Particle physics is the most glamorous branch of physics, but I agree with the book author that little progress is being made. In what branches of theoretical physics could a brilliant young person have a good chance of making important contributions?
- scentoni 8y agoCondensed matter theory. Consider: there is only one vacuum, the background upon which all of HEP/cosmology is set, and one collection of particles (the Standard Model). On the other hand, there are vast numbers of different crystal structures and non-crystalline phases of matter, each of which defines a different background with different properties and different particles. Each substance defines a new universe, which ultimately emerges from the Standard Model particles in the vacuum, but can be much more fruitfully studied on its own terms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasiparticle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasiparticle
- carapace 8y agoReminds me of "Plasma Crystals": dust in plasma can form crystals. > Dusty plasmas are interesting because the presence of particles significantly alters the charged particle equilibrium leading to different phenomena. It is a field of current research. Electrostatic coupling between the grains can vary over a wide range so that the states of the dusty plasma can change from weakly coupled (gaseous) to crystalline. Such plasmas are of interest as a non-Hamiltonian system of interacting particles and as a means to study generic fundamental physics of self-organization, pattern formation, phase transitions, and scaling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusty_plasma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusty_plasma